Best sun hair protectors 2025; tried and tested
I never thought I needed hair sun protection until one summer holiday left my locks frazzled.
We all know how the sun's harmful UV rays can affect our skin - think skin cancer and premature ageing - but many of us forget about our hair... including me.
Known as photodamage, UV rays can leave our hair feeling dry, brittle, and faded - so keeping it protected when we're in the sun is a must.
Fortunately, protecting your hair won't require dousing it in sunscreen if you can get your hands on a sun hair protector.
Typically available as sprays or mists, these formulas are designed to create a protective veil over your hair, leaving your strands protected but not weighed down.
With summer and warm weather (hopefully) approaching, it's time to get your sun hair protection sorted - here are some of the best.
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Best hair sun protection at a glance
- Best for on-the-go:
- Best budget option:
- Best nourishing formula:
- Best for styling:
- Best sustainable option:
How I tested sun hair protection sprays
Sun hair protectors are best put to work when you're somewhere hot, but I had to make do with London.
Fortunately, the weather has been blissful over the past few weeks, giving me the perfect opportunity to take these sun protectors for a spin.
I applied one formula per day, spraying it over my whole head, including the roots and lengths of my hair.
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While conducting this review, I kept an eye out for how nourishing each formula felt, what it smelled like and how wet it felt once applied.
How each formula feels in your hair will differ depending on your hair type.
For reference, I have very long, thick hair that tends to drink up product easily.
Best sun hair protectors 2025
Ultrasun UV Face and Scalp Mist SPF50
Ultrasun UV Face and Scalp Mist SPF50, £25.60
- PROS: Easy to distribute across the entire face and scalp; lightweight and unfragranced; suitable for sensitive skin
- CONS: Feels tacky if applied too close to the roots
- RATING: 8 / 10
I've been using this SPF on my face for a while, but only recently learnt that I can use it on my scalp too!
This SPF50 mist is one of the most gentle and refreshing I've used, perfect for topping up your sun protection over or under make-up.
Designed with sensitive skin in mind, the transparent, unfragranced formula is alcohol-free, meaning it's non-drying and can also be applied to your scalp.
The formula is supercharged with a unique InfraGuard complex that protects skin from damage and accelerated ageing caused by blue and infrared light.
When sprayed from a distance, the formula feels undetectable, but be mindful of applying it too close to your head, as this left my hair feeling tacky.
It's worth noting that, unlike other formulas on this list, this spray is designed for spraying directly onto your scalp rather than into the lengths of your hair, hence its slightly heavier texture.
However, thanks to its aerosol bottle, this formula is also incredibly easy to apply, and it only took me a couple of seconds to cover my entire head.
If you're short on space (and time), this face and hair mist is a brilliant option for on-the-go protection.
Charles Worthington Sunshine UV Protection Leave-In Spray Takeaway
Charles Worthington Sunshine UV Protection Leave-In Spray Takeaway, £3.49
- PROS: Great value for money; fragrance isn't overpowering
- CONS: Small bottle and pump mean it's slow to apply
- RATING: 8.5 / 10
My boyfriend has been using this product for a while - he loves its lightweight, texturising formula - but I've finally managed to prise it from his grasp.
This budget beauty protects your hair from the sun and helps you style it, meaning it's perfect for taking on holiday.
After spritzing the formula into my hair and tousling it with my fingers, my hair looked bouncier and more defined, so it would be a great way to finish off a blow-dry before a day in the sun.
It's got a fresh, salon-like fragrance, which is more muted in comparison to others on this list, which is very refreshing.
The quick-drying formula never left my hair feeling wet, overloaded or greasy, meaning I could generously douse it over my entire head.
However, it took me a while to fully cover my hair, thanks to its small bottle and pump, but it is a great size for fitting into hand luggage.
And, at just £3.49 a bottle, you really can't argue with this one - it's going straight into my suitcase!
Nuxe Sun Moisturising Protective Milky Hair Oil
Nuxe Sun Moisturising Protective Milky Hair Oil, £19
- PROS: Nourishes locks with caring ingredients; protects the hair from salt, chlorine and sun
- CONS: Potent smell feels overwhelming
- RATING: 7.5 / 10
French skin and haircare brand Nuxe is best known for its nourishing formulas, and this one is no exception.
This bi-phase hair mist is designed to both protect and hydrate your hair - just give it a shake and you're good to go.
Its lightweight, milky texture is supercharged with two organic sunscreens, plus softening jojoba oil and coconut for stronger, shinier locks.
Designed to protect your hair from the sun, salt, and chlorine, it created a lightweight, protective layer over my hair without weighing it down or leaving it greasy.
Its spray pump distributes a fine mist, meaning the formula never felt wet in my hair, and instead instantly softened my locks.
However, I was surprised by its incredibly potent coconut scent, which left my hair heavily fragranced after just one spritz.
Needless to say, I wasn't a huge fan of its aroma - but I did apply it on a gloomy day in London, so I think it will hit differently when applied at the beach!
Overall, it's a great contender for those looking to protect and nourish in one go - but beachy settings are required!
Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil
Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, £24
- PROS: Recycled bottle; leaves hair looking shiny; instantly refreshes hair
- CONS: Expensive; fragrance will be off-putting for some
- RATING: 7 / 10
Botanical haircare brand Aveda has a special place in my heart for its plant-powered formulas and environmental commitments.
Powered by plant-based UV filters (which protect hair from dryness and dullness), this fine mist can be spritzed into both dry and damp hair and protects locks for up to 16 hours.
It's packaged in a 100% recycled bottle, and its pump delivers product in a fine mist - but don't spray it too close to your scalp, or it will leave your hair feeling wet.
The formula itself has a very strong, botanical smell that reminded me of G&Ts, which will definitely be polarising.
However, I was impressed by how quickly the formula refreshed my locks, leaving them shinier, fuller and more radiant after a few spritzes.
While £32 for a 100ml bottle is very expensive, this is a fantastic option for protecting and refreshing your hair in one go.
Hair By Sam McKnight Sundaze Sea Spray
Hair By Sam McKnight Sundaze Sea Spray, £26
- PROS: Subtle fragrance; adds shape and texture to the hair; packed with nourishing ingredients
- CONS: One spritz delivers a lot of product, which might weigh fine hair down
- RATING: 7 / 10
Celebrity hairstylist Sam McKnight has worked with some of the biggest names in fashion and beauty - think Princess Diana and Kate Moss - and his haircare brand is just as impressive.
Inspired by sunny, Ibizan summers, this 2-in-1 salt spray both texturises and protects hair.
Starring Heliogenol, derived from sunflowers, it protects against free radicals that are emitted by the sun and can cause hair and scalp damage.
Its formula also features mineral salt for locking in texture, shape, and movement to your hair, which left my locks with a subtle, dainty wave.
The bottle's pump delivers product in a concentrated burst, which initially left my hair feeling wet and might be an issue for those with fine hair.
Unlike other formulas on this list, this salt spray has a subtle, fresh fragrance, which smelt pleasant and not overpowering when applied to my hair.
The formula also features Hibiscus flower and Pro Vitamin B5, for leaving locks softer and smoother, which definitely helped reduce frizz without feeling sticky.
Best sun hair protection FAQs
Click the links to navigate:
- Is there such a thing as sunscreen for hair?
- How can I protect my hair from the sun?
- What is the best sun protection spray UK?
- Where to buy sun protection spray in the UK?
Is there such a thing as sunscreen for hair?
Sun protection for hair comes in a variety of forms, with the most common being lightweight sprays that mist softly over strands.
Others come in the form of sun creams, masks and serums and work just like your regular face SPF by creating a barrier against the sun's seriously unsociable UVA and UVB rays.
How can I protect my hair from the sun?
What are these ominous rays that our hair, skin and eyes are exposed to every day?
UVA are longer waves that are often associated with increased ageing and the cause of fading hair colour.
Whereas UVB are much shorter rays that burns skin and dries out hair, causing breakage and frizz. A big no, no all around.
With a little due diligence and some good products (which range from mists, creams and spritzers), you can make sure your strands stay hydrated, strong and healthy.
It's also important to consider protecting your scalp as well as the length of your hair, especially if you are spending lots of time in the sunshine.
What is the best sun protection spray UK?
With options spanning from less than a fiver to nearly £40, picking the right sun protection mist depends on your hair type and your preferences.
For me, I prefer something with a subtle scent, so is a great option for me.
If you're looking for something that doubles up as a hair perfume, the heavily scented might be a great option for you.
For those with thinner hair, look for a sun protection spray that delivers a fine mist, like the .
Wanting to achieve effortless, beachy waves? I think the is the best option.
Where to buy sun protection spray in the UK?
Sun sprays for hair can be found in most beauty aisles - but don't wait until you get to the airport, where prices tend to hike!
Instead, high street stores like and stock sun hair protection, as do and if you're lucky enough to live near one.
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Shopping online will provide you with the most options - and better prices - so consider looking at and too.
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